This study investigated the role of the nuclear factor of activated T cells c3 (NFATc3) in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) during aortic aneurysm and dissection (AAD) progression and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cytoplasmic and nuclear NFATc3 levels were elevated in human and mouse AAD. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced thoracic AAD (TAAD) and abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression in mice, contrary to VSMC-NFATc3 overexpression. VSMC-NFATc3 deletion reduced extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation and maintained the VSMC contractile phenotype. Nuclear NFATc3 targeted and transcriptionally upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, promoting ECM degradation and AAD development. NFATc3 promoted VSMC phenotypic switching by binding to eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) and inhibiting its phosphorylation in the VSMC cytoplasm. Restoring eEF2 reversed the beneficial effects in VSMC-specific NFATc3-knockout mice. Cabamiquine-targets eEF2 and inhibits protein synthesis-inhibited AAD development and progression in VSMC-NFATc3-overexpressing mice. VSMC-NFATc3 promoted VSMC switch and ECM degradation while exacerbating AAD development, making it a novel potential therapeutic target for preventing and treating AAD.

Extrahepatic non-cirrhotic portal hypertension(NH-PH),a disease of portal hypertension repre-sented by extrahepatic non-cirrhotic portal vein thrombosis and budd-chiari syndrome,both of which are caused by splanchnic vein thrombosis and share a variety of common genetic susceptibility factors.The review summarized the research progress on genetic susceptibility to thrombotic NH-PH in recent decades,collating the reported genetic susceptibility genes and their mutation loci,as well as suggesting other potential gene tar-gets.The results of the study provided screening targets for subsequent large-sample validation in clinic,and delivered new ideas for the development of early diagnostic methods and pathogenesis of NH-PH.

Virtual simulation experimental teaching is a major component of nursing education reform in colleges and universities, which makes space-unlimited cyber-learning and self-learning into reality and is helpful in the development of students' critical thinking and clinical nursing decision-making ability. Based on the "5E learning cycle" model, we have set up an experimental teaching system, and constructed a virtual simulation experimental platform of nursing, which comprises basic experimental skills, clinical experimental skills, comprehensive virtual simulation projects and training system of clinical thinking. The platform combines online learning and offline learning, virtual simulation and physical simulation together, and narrowes the gap between theoretical teaching and clinical practice. This platform has promoted the development of nursing skills, clinical thinking and comprehensive abilities for nursing students and been also ready for the design and development of virtual simulation experimental teaching projects in the future.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy between moving cupping at Hechelu combined with rubbing method and western medication for depression of diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODSTwo hundred and sixteen patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 108 cases in each group. Patients in the observation group were treated with moving cupping at Hechelu combined with rubbing method, once every: other day; six treatments were considered as one course, and totally two courses were given with an interval of: 4 days between courses. Patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of fluoxetine hydrochloride capsules, once a day for consecutive 4 weeks. The Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), self-rating depression scale (SDS) and TCM symptom score were measured before treatment, after the treatment and in follow-up visit one and a half months after treatment. The fasting blood glucose was tested before and after treatment. The glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was tested in the follow-up visit.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 90.9% (90/99) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.7% (70/95) in the control group (P < 0.05). After the treatment, HAMD, SDS and TCM symptom scores were all reduced apparently in the observation group and the control group (all P < 0.05). After the treatment and the follow-up visit, the TCM symptom score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The levels of HbA1c and GLU were stable in the observation group, and were decreased compared with those before treatment; but the difference between the, two groups was not significant (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe Hechelu theory-based TCM treatment has better: efficacy for depression of diabetes mellitus than fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule, which has less adverse effects.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Depressive Disorder ; etiology ; metabolism ; psychology ; therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; metabolism ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Massage ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

In the treatment of 48 cases of menopause syndrome by moving cupping therapy along the pathways of the bladder meridian, Jiaji points (Ex-B 2) and pathway of the Governor Vessel, the results showed cure in 10 cases, remarkable effect in 27 cases, effect in 8 cases and failure in 3 cases, and the total effective rate in 93.7%. In comparison with before the treatments, all the symptoms were relieved (P＜0.05) after treatments, with insomnia, poor memory, depression and easy crying, warm sensation in the five body parts, aching and soft sensation in the low back and knee relieved more remarkably (P＜0.01).